olympus sz61 stereomicroscope  (Olympus)

Journal: Biomedical Optics Express

Article Title: In vivo volumetric visualization and quantification of cumulus expansion in mice with intravital optical coherence tomography

doi: 10.1364/BOE.580418

Figure Lengend Snippet: Quantification and validation of the thickness of cumulus matrix. (a-b) Ex vivo 3D OCT images of preovulatory follicles at 0 (a) and 12 (b) hours post hCG injection. Magenta and blue lines represent the diameter of the oocyte and the thickness of the cumulus matrix, respectively. Scale bars correspond to 100 μm. (c) Comparison of the oocyte diameter between 0 and 12 hours post hCG and between the two different imaging methods. (d) Comparison of the thickness of the cumulus matrix between 0 and 12 hours post hCG and between the two different imaging methods. The cumulus thickness was measured at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions and averaged for comparison. Data are shown as the mean ± standard error with individual data points. Statistical analysis by one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s multiple comparisons test indicated significant differences (* P < 0.01). n.s.: non-significant. (e-f) In vitro brightfield images of the isolated COCs at 0 (e) and 12 (f) hours post hCG. Magenta and blue lines represent the diameter of the oocyte and the thickness of the cumulus matrix, respectively. Scale bars correspond to 100 μm.

Article Snippet: In vitro brightfield imaging was conducted using a stereo microscope (Stemi 508, Carl Zeiss) equipped with a high-speed camera (Axiocam 705, Carl Zeiss).

Techniques: Biomarker Discovery, Ex Vivo, Injection, Comparison, Imaging, In Vitro, Isolation

Journal: bioRxiv

Article Title: Mechanical control of tissue growth during limb regeneration

doi: 10.1101/2025.04.07.647008

Figure Lengend Snippet: Limbs were amputated at the upper and lower arm, after which they were analysed at different timepoints. A) Regeneration timecourse from 4xGTIIC:EGFP animals imaged under a fluorescent stereomicroscope. Scale bar: 500 µm. B) Relative EGFP signal from A , normalized against the intact condition of each animal. Paired individual comparisons are shown (n = 7 animals). Two-way ANOVA with Sidak’s multiple comparisons test, ** p < 0.01. C) Wholemount fluorescent imaging of optically cleared limbs at the blastema stage from 4xGTIIC:EGFP animals. One optical slice is shown. Approximate amputation plane and outline are indicated by a dashed and pointed line, respectively. Scale bar: 100 µm. For A and C : Both limbs derive from the same animal. Identical brightness/contrast is displayed. Lookup table Fire from Fiji was used to better display intensity differences. D-E) Gene expression assessment via qPCR in intact limbs (segments separated at the elbow), at the apical epithelial cap (AEC, 4 dpa), blastema (7 dpa) and palette (10 dpa) stages. Relative expression levels of Cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61( Cyr61 ), Connective tissue growth factor ( Ctgf ) ( D ), Prod1 , and Hoxa13 ( E ) were normalized against Ribosomal protein L4 ( Rpl4 ) levels. Each dot represents one animal. Columns display Mean ± SD (n ≥ 3 animals/condition). dpa: days post-amputation. F) Proposed model explaining growth regulation during limb regeneration along the PD axis, in which the gradient in cell proliferation from proximal to distal is a result of a gradient of Yap/Taz activity, which is in turn opposed by a gradient of tissue stiffness and cell differentiation rate. P: proximal, D: distal.

Article Snippet: Drug treated embryos were imaged as described above immediately before and after drug incubations under a fluorescent stereomicroscope (Olympus UC90 using CellSense Entry software).

Techniques: Imaging, Gene Expression, Expressing, Activity Assay, Cell Differentiation